Arresting Comedy

The Guard (2011), written and directed by John Michael McDonagh in his feature directing debut, is a comedic cop story set in Ireland. The film stars Brendan Gleason (who thrilled critics and audiences in In Bruges, directed by Martin McDonagh, John Michael's brother) as Sergeant Gerry Boyle, an unorthodox small town policeman with a dark sense of humor, and Don Cheadle as Walter Everett, a straight-laced American FBI agent. When a fellow police officer disappears and the small town becomes part of an international drug-trafficking case, Boyle is forced to work with Everett, and the clash of personalities is explosive, to say the least, as each has his own very different approach to work and to life in general. With comedy, action and intrigue, this internationally celebrated film screens Friday through Sunday as part of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth's Magnolia at the Modern series, an ongoing series featuring critically acclaimed films. The Guard received the Audience Award at this year's Sarajevo Film Festival, as well as awards at the Berlin Film Festival and a nomination at Sundance. The museum is located at 3200 Darnell St. Admission is $8.50, $6.50 for museum members. Call 817-738-9215 or visit themodern.org for showtimes, tickets and information. Sept. 2-4, 2011